Physical and mechanical properties of impregnated polystyrene jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) glulam

Abstract

Abstract Jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) laminas were impregnated with polystyrene and reached 21.2% polymer loading. The laminas were manufactured for three-layer glued laminated timber (glulam) using isocyanate glue with glue spread 280 g/m2 and cold-press process. For comparison purposes, untreated glulam as control and also solid wood were prepared. The physical-mechanical properties were evaluated according to the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) 234-2003. The results showed that the color of glulam was not different from polystyrene glulam. The density of polystyrene glulam was higher than untreated glulam and solid wood, but the moisture content was lower than the other. The product kinds of solid wood, untreated glulam, and polystyrene glulam did not affect shear strength and modulus of rupture (MOR), while the modulus of elasticity (MOE) of untreated glulam and hardness of polystyrene glulam were the highest values and the other products were not different one each other. Both kinds of glulam fulfilled the Japanese standard in terms of moisture content, MOR, and delamination in hot water, but MOE and shear strength did not. Regarding its advantages, polystyrene glulam could be further developed using a higher wood density.